Lin Zhexia almost bit through the straw in her mouth.
She had only said once that he was average-looking.
And this person was still holding a grudge.
This person is so petty.
As they were talking, the bus arrived. Before getting on, Lin Zhexia said through gritted teeth: “I also have a suggestion for you. You should buy more sunscreen when you get back. You’re not that good-looking to begin with, don’t get tanned and become even uglier.”
The military training had a dedicated base, about twenty kilometers from the school.
Before departure, Lin He prepared some daily necessities for her, filling an entire backpack and another hand-carried bag: “Five days, these things should be enough. Change of clothes and small bottles of toiletries are all in the hand-carried bag.”
“Should I bring a few more homework books?” Lin He asked.
“No need,” Lin Zhexia hurriedly picked up the things and left. “I want to focus on military training. When doing something, one should be fully committed. I’ll deal with studying when I get back.”
After arriving at school, several buses were parked outside.
The buses carried the first-year new students to the military training base. On the bus, the class monitor assigned them to their dormitories—six people in one room. Lin Zhexia, Chen Lin, and four other girls from the same group who didn’t know each other well were assigned to one room.
The first day of military training didn’t have many activities scheduled.
Teacher Xu explained with a megaphone on the bus: “After getting off the bus, first collect your training uniforms, then go to your dormitories to put away your things, change into your uniforms, and attend the enrollment ceremony. In the afternoon, follow the instructors’ guidance; they will probably teach you how to fold your bedding.”
The military training base looked like a small school, except that in the middle of the few buildings was a particularly large parade ground.
A banner welcoming them to the camp hung at the entrance.
The instructors stood in a row, claiming their respective class teams.
After receiving her training uniform, Lin Zhexia went with Chen Lin to their assigned dormitory.
The girls’ dormitory building was next to the boys’.
The six-person dormitory did not have a bathroom.
When they arrived, the other four girls in the room were changing clothes.
One of the girls was lively and greeted them with a smile: “Did you bring belts? These pants have a pretty big waist. If you don’t have belts, I can lend you some.”
That girl was called Tang Shuxuan, and her bed was opposite hers.
Lin Zhexia wasn’t familiar with her and simply said, “No need, thank you.”
Chen Lin, being a social butterfly, responded much more enthusiastically: “We did. Did you bring anything else? I secretly packed some snacks in my bag.”
Tang Shuxuan didn’t continue the conversation with Chen Lin. Instead, she was particularly warm toward Lin Zhexia. Seeing that she was about to adjust the size of her cap after putting on her clothes, Tang Shuxuan volunteered: “Let me help you.”
This time, Lin Zhexia didn’t have time to refuse.
Tang Shuxuan had already walked behind her and adjusted her cap forward by one notch.
The morning activities were tedious, standing under the hot sun listening to speeches from the school leaders and the chief instructor of the training base.
“…This military training is meant to cultivate students’ spirit of enduring hardship. Our Second Middle School of Cheng’an has always emphasized more than just academic performance; we must develop morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and in labor skills.”
Lin Zhexia stood in the first row.
Finding it boring, she secretly glanced toward the far end.
However, this glance couldn’t reach Class One.
Just as she was about to look away, she vaguely saw someone walking out from the other end.
The figure was familiar.
That tall, slender figure conspicuously walked out of the formation alone and came closer to where they were.
On the stage.
The principal of Second Middle School finished his closing remarks and continued: “Next, our first-year student representative will give a speech—”
As his words fell, the distant figure approached and stood on the stage.
The young man wore a camouflage uniform, absurdly tall, with his military cap slightly pressed down, tousled hair covering his ink-like eyebrows and eyes.
He took the microphone, and his voice came through clearly: “Hello everyone, I am Chi Yao from Class One, Year One.”
Lin Zhexia was a bit surprised.
But considering Chi Yao’s entrance exam score, which was high enough for him to attend First Middle School, it wasn’t strange that he would be chosen as the student representative.
After Chi Yao took the stage, she became more attentive.
This attention stemmed from the mindset of watching a familiar person on stage while she was in the audience.
Chen Lin whispered behind her: “The student representative is Chi Yao! He’s so impressive.”
Lin Zhexia also whispered, “He doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood. Maybe he didn’t want to go on stage but was forced by the teacher.”
Chen Lin couldn’t see anything on Chi Yao’s face besides the words “handsome.” “How can you tell he’s not in a good mood?”
“…” Lin Zhexia also found it hard to answer this question, “I just saw it at a glance.”
Chen Lin was about to say “no way,” but soon, she saw the person on stage simply adjust the microphone before delivering a very impatient opening: “I’ll just say a few words, not waste everyone’s time, and try to finish within three minutes.”
After listening to so many lengthy speeches, three minutes felt like hope suddenly descending upon them.